Wacky cricket an instant hit, and so is the beer snake

New rules ... some of the 10,500 at North Sydney Oval yesterday for
the Twenty 20 cricket who took a snake of thousands of beer cups on
a lap of the ground.Photo: Dean Sewell

By Justin NorrieJanuary 9, 2006

IF THE size of a beer snake is any guide, Twenty20 cricket has
already won the approval of Sydney's sports fans.

Even an apparently endless succession of bludgeoned fours and
sixes could not keep the attention of yesterday's crowd of almost
10,500 at North Sydney Oval for more than two hours. "Mate, this is
bloody brilliant. I'll be coming back for the next one," said Jono
Brogan, 26, of Elizabeth Bay, as he led a 23-metre snake of
thousands of beer cups on a lap of the ground.

"Test cricket isn't as fun as this, no way," Mr Brogan added as
young men slapped him on the back and added to his load.

A wild swing brought to life the newest, ultra-condensed form of
the game, which NSW won over Queensland yesterday. Within two overs
the Queensland opener Craig "Flip" Philipson opened the floodgates
as he hoisted a loose delivery onto the roof of the O'Reilly Stand,
to a roar of delight from the crowd below.

Clowns were on hand to paint faces, a handful of beach balls
were flung about, and players wore tops emblazoned with the most
unimaginative nicknames.

Danny James, 32, of Naremburn, was the first spectator to win
$100 for catching a six.

But the expected carnival atmosphere never quite materialised -
perhaps because the event was over in 2.5 hours.

The 20-over-a-side contest has been derided by some as the
fast-food equivalent of Test cricket - all flavour but little
substance, a quick fix for today's attention-impaired.

"All I know is that when I told my girlfriend it would only be
three hours she agreed to come," said Tristan Smith, 26, of
Eastwood.

His friend, Matt Currey, 26, of Westmead, agreed.

"This is the first cricket match my wife has ever come to, and
she loved it."

SPONSORED LINKS

1136655087875-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/wacky-cricket-an-instant-hit-and-so-is-the-beer-snake/2006/01/08/1136655087875.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2006-01-09Wacky cricket an instant hit, and so is the beer snakeJustin NorrieSportCrickethttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/08/beersnake_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg

New rules ... some of the 10,500 at North Sydney Oval yesterday for
the Twenty 20 cricket who took a snake of thousands of beer cups on
a lap of the ground.